Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lynn, MA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 16 of 23 categories
Lynn
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$70,046
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High
Population
100,653
San Mateo
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lynn, MA
Pros
Homes cost $1066k less ($442,800 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1460/mo less ($1,511 vs $2,971)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $79,106/yr
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.6)
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $79,106 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Lynn
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Lynn
Key Differences at a Glance
Lynn
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 111.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Lynn
Median Home Value
$1066k less
$442,800 vs $1,508,900
Lynn
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 80.3°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$79,106
$149,152 vs $70,046/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
58% lower
243.2 vs 574.6 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lynn, MA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $442,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,511⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $70,046 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 113⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 151⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 56 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.9% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.2% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lynn | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.1°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.3°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.3" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 39.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 100,653 | 104,165 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.1% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynn's cost of living index is 111.6 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Lynn is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 16 of 23 categories. Lynn wins 7 and San Mateo wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Lynn to San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($442,800 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($70,046 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lynn, MA and San Mateo, CA are about 2,697 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.